Thursday, June 9: Anniversary Day, No School for Students
Thursday, June 16: PTA Meeting, 9:30 AM
Thursday, June 16: PS 166 Art Fair, Evening, 6-8 PM
Friday, June 17: Open Safety Meeting, 9:00 AM
Monday, June 20: Juneteenth, School Closed
Friday, June 24: Fifth Grade Graduation, Auditorium, 9:00 AM
Monday, June 27: Last day of School (full day)
Congratulations to PS 166 students, Ruby Jennino and Oliver Otto, who had their artwork chosen for display at the Manhattan Borough Arts Festival at MoMA!
The DOE School Calendar has (finally) been released!
It is that time of year where we ask the question: Do you plan for your child to return to PS 166 in the fall?Please take this SURVEY and answer yes, no or maybe. Your answers are in no way binding! This is just a way to start planning for the number of classes we need for each grade. Please do not answer for your current fifth grade students. We know they won't be here in September.
Just to clarify, as the DOE language can be confusing: Students currently in G&T classrooms DO NOT need to reapply. They continue in the program through grade 5. On rare occasions, parents and/or teachers may decide it is in the best interest of the child to switch programs, but otherwise students in G&T classes are automatically placed in G&T classes for the following year.
The G&T application will be open from May 31 - June 13, 2022. Offers will be made in July. Please keep in mind, schools are closed in July, so registration will likely not take place until the last week of August when we return.
There are two types of G&T programs:
Click HERE to learn more about how and when to participate, as well as how G&T offers are made. It's different and more complicated than in past years so please read carefully if you are interested in applying to the G&T program.
Please be reminded that dogs are not allowed in Playground 89. While the school has no jurisdiction over the playground after school hours, we have received complaints from parents about dogs being there after school. Remember, some children (and adults) are afraid or allergic to dogs and no matter how friendly or adorable dogs are, they are prohibited from the playground.
With all that is going on around us, children have a lot of questions. Ms. Mac has shared resources to help teachers in the classroom but also has gathered the ones below, that parents may find useful.
Resources on Ukraine
How to Talk to Kids About Ukraine (New York Times)
Resources for Educators, Families to Discuss the Events in Ukraine with Students
Resources to Support Students Considering the Recent Subway Tragedy
Ways to talk about subway shootings:
1. I wonder if anyone saw anything on the news that they are worried about,
2. Listen to what children say and know, confirm what is true and reframe what is not true or needs clarification. Write down questions they may have.
3. Say what the city is doing to help the people who got hurt.
4. Say what the city is doing to make the subway safer.
5. Invite children to write in their journals at intervals throughout the day if they think of other things they want to say .
6. Invite children to do something proactive, like make cards to comfort children who attend nearby Sunset Park Schools and might have happened to be riding that train and might still be scared.
Additional Articles:
How to talk to children about difficult news (APA)
How to Talk to Children About Tragedies (NCFR)
Terrorism and War: How to Talk to Children (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
Responding to Tragedy: Resources for Educators and Parents (Edutopia)
Each week the DOE conducts in-school covid testing in every school. The student testing threshold is equal to either 20% of students with unknown vaccination status or 10% of school enrollment (grades 1-12), whichever quantity is greater. In our school, they use the 10% of 1-5 enrollment, which translates to 48 students per week. The students appear in random order on a list that we must adhere to. If your child is tested, he/she will receive a letter to take home with instructions on how to receive results.
Please be reminded that if your child tests positive, whether it is from in-school testing, a lab test or a home test, notify the school right away as every case has to be entered and tracked by the situation room. Send the email to the classroom teacher(s), attendance@ps166.org and dmarkewich@schools.nyc.gov.
A few important things to remember about using the playground after school.
Please be considerate and do not double park on west 89th street when picking up your child at dismissal. The street is very narrow and buses and trucks cannot get through when cars are double-parked. This holds up dismissal and creates loud horn-honking. Parking is especially tight with the scaffolding and fencing taking up so much of the street. If you must pick up your child by car, please park on one of the avenues and walk to the school.
Remember - report cards are only available in your NYCSA account. The school does not have hard copies at this time.
New York City Schools Accounts (NYCSA)
NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) is a DOE application that lets you access important information about your child on any device.
What is it used for? It allows you to view your child’s grades, report cards, attendance history, test scores, transportation information, IEP information, submit COVID consent forms and more. Every student should have at least one parent with a NYCSA account.
How do I activate my child’s account? You need an activation code that must be provided by the school. The DOE keeps track of students whose parents have not set up accounts and we regularly backpack home the activation code letters to those parents.
Questions about your account? email dmarkewich@schools.nyc.gov
DOE 2022-2023 School Calendar has been released!
Health Screening Tool
Continuing the safety measures introduced in the previous school year, we will be conducting regular COVID testing of unvaccinated students grades 1 through 12. That way, action can be taken right away to protect the school community if there’s a positive case. Submit your updated testing consent form for your child using your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) at schoolsaccount.nyc or by downloading the form online at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting and providing the completed printed form to your child’s school.
You can fill out the form using your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA): schoolsaccount.nyc
Download the Health Screening Questionnaire
Don’t have an NYC Schools Account? Learn more at schools.nyc.gov/NYCSA
Provide Consent for COVID-19 Testing
Fill out a COVID-19 testing consent form in your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) or download a printable version at schools.nyc.gov/covidtesting. Don’t have an NYC Schools Account? Learn how to get started at schools.nyc.gov/NYCSA.
Spread the word to anyone who is looking to get vaccinated! New York City is partnering with PTA and community groups like ours to encourage vaccination in our community. For every eligible person we refer to a city-run vaccination site or for an in-home appointment, Friends of PS166 will receive $100.
Participation is easy:
1. Request an appointment using the NYC Vaccine Appointment Scheduler.
2. During online registration, list "Friends of PS166" when asked "Were you referred for your vaccination by an organization as part of the NYC Vaccine Referral Bonus Program?"
3. Friends of PS166 will receive cash for each referral up to $20,000.
Thursday, June 9: Anniversary Day, No School for Students
Thursday, June 16: PTA Meeting, 9:30 AM
Thursday, June 16: PS 166 Art Fair, Evening, 6-8 PM
Friday, June 17: Open Safety Meeting, 9:00 AM
Monday, June 20: Juneteenth, School Closed
Friday, June 24: Fifth Grade Graduation, Auditorium, 9:00 AM
Monday, June 27: Last day of School (full day)
Congratulations to PS 166 students, Ruby Jennino and Oliver Otto, who had their artwork chosen for display at the Manhattan Borough Arts Festival at MoMA!
The DOE School Calendar has (finally) been released!
It is that time of year where we ask the question: Do you plan for your child to return to PS 166 in the fall?Please take this SURVEY and answer yes, no or maybe. Your answers are in no way binding! This is just a way to start planning for the number of classes we need for each grade. Please do not answer for your current fifth grade students. We know they won't be here in September.
Just to clarify, as the DOE language can be confusing: Students currently in G&T classrooms DO NOT need to reapply. They continue in the program through grade 5. On rare occasions, parents and/or teachers may decide it is in the best interest of the child to switch programs, but otherwise students in G&T classes are automatically placed in G&T classes for the following year.
The G&T application will be open from May 31 - June 13, 2022. Offers will be made in July. Please keep in mind, schools are closed in July, so registration will likely not take place until the last week of August when we return.
There are two types of G&T programs:
Click HERE to learn more about how and when to participate, as well as how G&T offers are made. It's different and more complicated than in past years so please read carefully if you are interested in applying to the G&T program.
Please be reminded that dogs are not allowed in Playground 89. While the school has no jurisdiction over the playground after school hours, we have received complaints from parents about dogs being there after school. Remember, some children (and adults) are afraid or allergic to dogs and no matter how friendly or adorable dogs are, they are prohibited from the playground.
With all that is going on around us, children have a lot of questions. Ms. Mac has shared resources to help teachers in the classroom but also has gathered the ones below, that parents may find useful.
Resources on Ukraine
How to Talk to Kids About Ukraine (New York Times)
Resources for Educators, Families to Discuss the Events in Ukraine with Students
Resources to Support Students Considering the Recent Subway Tragedy
Ways to talk about subway shootings:
1. I wonder if anyone saw anything on the news that they are worried about,
2. Listen to what children say and know, confirm what is true and reframe what is not true or needs clarification. Write down questions they may have.
3. Say what the city is doing to help the people who got hurt.
4. Say what the city is doing to make the subway safer.
5. Invite children to write in their journals at intervals throughout the day if they think of other things they want to say .
6. Invite children to do something proactive, like make cards to comfort children who attend nearby Sunset Park Schools and might have happened to be riding that train and might still be scared.
Additional Articles:
How to talk to children about difficult news (APA)
How to Talk to Children About Tragedies (NCFR)
Terrorism and War: How to Talk to Children (American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry)
Responding to Tragedy: Resources for Educators and Parents (Edutopia)
Each week the DOE conducts in-school covid testing in every school. The student testing threshold is equal to either 20% of students with unknown vaccination status or 10% of school enrollment (grades 1-12), whichever quantity is greater. In our school, they use the 10% of 1-5 enrollment, which translates to 48 students per week. The students appear in random order on a list that we must adhere to. If your child is tested, he/she will receive a letter to take home with instructions on how to receive results.
Please be reminded that if your child tests positive, whether it is from in-school testing, a lab test or a home test, notify the school right away as every case has to be entered and tracked by the situation room. Send the email to the classroom teacher(s), attendance@ps166.org and dmarkewich@schools.nyc.gov.
A few important things to remember about using the playground after school.
Please be considerate and do not double park on west 89th street when picking up your child at dismissal. The street is very narrow and buses and trucks cannot get through when cars are double-parked. This holds up dismissal and creates loud horn-honking. Parking is especially tight with the scaffolding and fencing taking up so much of the street. If you must pick up your child by car, please park on one of the avenues and walk to the school.
Remember - report cards are only available in your NYCSA account. The school does not have hard copies at this time.
New York City Schools Accounts (NYCSA)
NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) is a DOE application that lets you access important information about your child on any device.
What is it used for? It allows you to view your child’s grades, report cards, attendance history, test scores, transportation information, IEP information, submit COVID consent forms and more. Every student should have at least one parent with a NYCSA account.
How do I activate my child’s account? You need an activation code that must be provided by the school. The DOE keeps track of students whose parents have not set up accounts and we regularly backpack home the activation code letters to those parents.
Questions about your account? email dmarkewich@schools.nyc.gov
We need you! Help us plan events, fundraise, communicate, or discuss the educational plan for the school. Whatever your skills and interests, there is a role for you.
All positions are open, however, we still need candidates for the Communications Secretary position, in particular. For more information, please refer to the below...
Join the PTA Executive Board!
- Learn more about the PTA
- Learn more about PTA positions
- To nominate yourself for a position on the board, contact our nominating committee: : Daria Kim and/or Rachel Polimeni
Join our School Leadership Team (SLT)
- Learn more about the SLT
- Learn more about the nomination process
- To nominate yourself for a position on the board, contact our nominating committee: Daria Kim and/or Rachel Polimeni
If you have a general question, issue, or concern please email the administration, your teacher, or email us directly. You can also add your question anonymously to our google sheet. If you have a question or concern, others may too, and we can all work together to resolve it!
The chess program at PS 166 is a crown jewel at our school and one of the premier elementary school chess programs in the United States? Now in its 22nd year, the Manhattan Knights Chess Team boasts consistent top honors in all levels of tournament play. If your child is interested in participating in tournaments as a member of the chess team, please contact us to learn more.
Show your pride with our exclusive selection of uniquely branded products. 100% of the profit goes towards the PS 166 PTA to help sustain the resources and programs that benefit every student at PS 166.
Items may be shipped or picked up locally at Big Frog Custom T-shirts on the Upper West Side (80th/Broadway).
SHOP NOW
Thanks to your generous support, we were able to purchase guitar carts for the music room. Previously the guitars were stored in cases in a closet and it was time consuming and challenging to get them out for students to use. Now they are safe and easy for children to get out and put away. We can’t wait until our kids can get back in the music room to use them!
Our school community relies on parents like you! Please sign up here to learn more about volunteer opportunities, and to let us know what skills and services you may be able to share!
Find out more about the fun events we have planned for this year here, and learn about volunteer opportunities. Email our VP of Volunteers, Tiffany Boyer, with questions or ideas, or to volunteer for an event!
We'd love to hear! We really do want to take questions from our parent community and get answers for you. We will be meeting with the administration several times in the coming days, so let us know!
Minutes for the June PTA meeting can be found here and we will vote on their approval at our next PTA meeting on October 21st at 9:30 am.
Please also consider supporting our very own PS166 parent-owned businesses! If you’d like to add your own business to the list, please email us.
If you’re shopping on Amazon, please be sure to activate Amazon Smile by going to smile.amazon.com and selecting Friends of PS 166 Inc as the charity recipient. A percentage of each purchase will go support our school!
COVID TESTING
Over 95% of PS166 families have given consent for in-school COVID testing. Thanks for helping to keep our community healthy!
The NYC Test and Trace Corps and the CDC advise that everyone be tested 3-5 days after an exposure to COVID or international travel. Those that are unvaccinated be tested periodically, such as once a month, even if not showing symptoms.
There are free LabQ mobile testing vans located at 71st, 86th, and 97th streets that open at 10 am and return PCR results within 24 hrs.
FLU SEASON
Flu season is soon and flu shots are available now. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises all children to be vaccinated before the end of October. “As we continue to face another year of COVID-19 pandemic, timely influenza vaccination of all persons 6 months of age and older, is a priority this year.”--AAP
PROVIDE CONSENT FOR COVID-19 TESTING
Fill out a COVID-19 testing consent form in your NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) or download a printable version. | Get an NYC Schools account here.
NEW DOE TESTING PROTOCOLS
The mayor's office announced new testing and quarantining policies for NYC public schools. Starting September 27th, students at all NYC public schools will be tested weekly. Also, they are relaxing school quarantine rules to bring them in alignment with CDC guidance. So long as unvaccinated students were masked and maintained 3ft of social distance, they will not have to quarantine after having close contact with a student who tests positive for COVID-19. The prior quarantine rules required all unvaccinated close contacts of a student who tested positive to quarantine for 10 days.
GIVE CONSENT FOR TESTING
Every week the school will be testing 10% of 1st-5th grade students whose parents gave consent.
VACCINE FUNDRAISER
Spread the word: anyone who is getting vaccinated! For every eligible person we refer to a city-run vaccination site or for an in-home appointment, Friends of PS166 will receive $100.
1. Schedule an appointment here.
2. List "Friends of PS166" when asked "Were you referred for your vaccination by an organization as part of the NYC Vaccine Referral Bonus Program?"
COVID TESTING
If you are looking for testing outside of school, here is the city testing location page. There are free LabQ mobile testing vans located at 71st, 86th, and 97th streets that open at 10 am and return PCR results within 24 hrs.
Support the inclusion of climate change education into NY State High Schools by signing this petition.
NYC’s first electric school buses will be added to the school bus fleet in September.
Families looking for places to take their food scraps for composting can search this list of current options,
Want more information? Click here for more composting sites and information.
The Morningside Park Down-to-Earth Farmers Market (110th & Manhattan Avenue), accepts textiles weekly. In addition, Wearable Collections will pick up from your residence, although there is now a fee, and a large minimum amount: https://www.wearablecollections.com/homepickups
Another option is Pick Up Please: https://pickupplease.org/
620 Columbus Avenue (btwn 90th & 91st Streets, west side of street).
Info: Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell ( 212-866-3970); Council Member Helen Rosenthal (212-873-0282)
Be sure to check out the Green Committee Home Page for more info.
